I could not keep my arm at rest without it aching. I slept in arm and hand braces. I had 3 injections of cortizone in my elbow but it was only temporary help. I had the operation. Best thing I ever did. They widened the hole the tendon went through and took off all of the scar tissue. I was back to working on my quilt a few weeks later. I never hurt and was in a sling for a few days. The big thing is I DON'T HURT ANYMORE. Make sure if you have the operation that you make sure the doctor has done several of these with high success.